Week 3, Class 2 (9/15) Flashcards
Heart failure assessment findings
Tachycardia during rest and slight exertion
Tachypnea
Profuse scalp sweating
Sudden weight gain
Respiratory distress
Heart failure considerations
Daily weights (Weight gain of 1lb in 24hr= fluid retention)
Monitor respirations and apical pulse
Monitor for facial or peripheral edema
Elevate HOB
Heart failure nursing considerations cont.
- Administer digoxin, monitor for bradycardia and vomiting—> digoxin toxicity*
-Dehydration can increase risk for toxicity
Provide frequent rest periods, Cluster care
Frequent small feedings
Monitor for hypokalemia
When do you withhold digoxin in pediatric patients?
If the pulse is < 90-110 in an infant or young child
Below 70 in an older child
What to do if you miss a dose of digoxin?
If MORE than 4 hours have passed, Withhold the dose and give next dose at scheduled time
If LESS than 4 hours have passed, Administer the missed dose
Types of Cardiac defects due to increased pulmonary blood flow
Atrial septal defect (ASD)
Ventricular septal defect (VSD)
Atrioventricular canal defect
Patent ductus anteriosus (PDA)
Atrial septal defect
Abnormal opening between the atria results in an increase flow of oxygenated blood into the right side of the heart
Ventricular septal defect
Abnormal opening between the right and left ventricles
Atrioventricular canal defect
Resulting from incomplete fusion of the endocardial cushions, often seen in children with down syndrome
Patent ductus arteriosus
The fetal ductus arteriosus fails to close during the first weeks of life.
Machinery like murmur audible on auscultation
Widened pulse pressure and bounding pulses are present
Medication given to close patent ductus arteriosus
Indomethacin, prostaglandin inhibitor
Medication given to keep the patent ductus arteriosus open
Prostaglandin E
Obstructive cardiac defects
Coarctation of the aorta
Aortic stenosis
Pulmonary stenosis
Coarctation of the aorta
Localized narrowing near the insertion of the ductus arteriosus
Coarctation of the aorta findings
Blood pressure higher in the arms than in the legs
Coolness in the legs and weak femoral pulses
Headache, dizziness, fainting, epistaxis
Aortic Stenosis
Narrowing or stricture of the aortic valve causes resistance to blood flow in the left ventricle, decreased cardiac output, left ventricular hypertrophy, and pulmonary vascular congestion.
Aortic stenosis findings
Signs of decreased cardiac output: faint pulses, Hypotension, tachycardia, and poor feeding.
Exercise intolerance
Chest pain
Dizziness when standing for long periods of time
Pulmonary stenosis
Entrance to the pulmonary artery is narrowed
Pulmonary stenosis findings
Newborns with severe narrowing are cyanotic
Pulmonary atresia
Types of Cardiac defects due to decreased pulmonary blood flow
Tetralogy of Fallot
Tricuspid Atresia
Tetralogy of Fallot
Comprises four defects:
1) Ventricular septal defect
2) Pulmonary stenosis
3) Overriding aorta
4) Right ventricular hypertrophy
Tetralogy of Fallot assessment findings
Acute to mild cyanosis
Acute episodes of hypoxia (hyper-cyanotic spells) “Blue spells or Tet spells”, Occurs when the infants oxygen requirements exceed blood supply
Squatting may be noted (shunts blood flow to the head)
Tricuspid atresia
Tricuspid valve fails to develop, meaning that there is no communication between the right atrium and the right ventricle.
Tricuspid atresia assessment findings
Mixing of unoxygenated and oxygenated blood in the left side of the heart result in systemic desaturation, pulmonary obstruction, and decreased pulmonary blood flow
Cyanosis, tachycardia, and dyspnea seen in affected newborn
Older children exhibit chronic hypoxemia and clubbing